Merrill Zigmahornet

[Toride]

Hi Dave,
Thanks for the replies - they're very helpful! There is quite a bewildering array of designs to choose from. At the moment I'm leaning back towards the Zigmahorns - they're simple and unusual - I like the tiny driver!

(By the way - have you heard the Feastrex Dimension 5 or any of the newer hemp based drivers such as those used in the Omega range or the Hemp Acoustics driver?)

Good website - plenty of food for thought - thanks again for the info!

[planet10]

The Merrill driver is quite a bit larger than the driver the ZZIgmahornet was designed for...

dave

[Scottmoose]

In some respects probably a good thing. The Zigmahornet, great though it is in some ways, does push the 103 too hard for my liking. Not that I'm one to talk about pushing a driver to the limit.

[Toride]

Hi,
I finally made the Zigmahornets. Construction went relatively smoothly (although mostly on or under the kitchen table).

I have a problem with the sound though. While the cabinets (I use the term loosely!) were drying I tested out the drivers and they were fine. I could play to level 3 or even 4 on my volume control (I tend to listen to on levels 1, 2 or 3: 4 is loud).

When I put the drivers in the cabinet and connected up I got quite bad distortion on anything above level 1 – certainly on peaks. Does anyone know why this is happening? The instructions that Dave Merrill sent say to cut 6 small channels into the ply wood around the driver – to let the driver breath more easily (I didn’t do this yet as it’s a bit of a no going back step). Do you think that cutting the channels will reduce the distortion? Or is there a problem elsewhere in the Zigmas?

Thanks for any help!

[pre65]

Hi-it would seem to me that following the instructions supplied would be the way forward.

When you say you "tested the drivers" while the paint was drying i take it you mean out of the cabinet ?


Philip

[Scottmoose]

Depends what you mean by distortion. What sort of distortion? Whereabouts in the frequency range?

[john & Jake the dog]

Hi,
have you made sure the cables round the back are not touching the cone?

[Toride]

Hi - thanks for the quick replies!
Yes - drivers were tested connected directly to amp (in free air). Agree about instructions but the pictures I've seen don't appear to have the channels. Will add them though!

Distortion freqs seem pretty broad - most of midrange - will listen carefully this eve.

Good idea re:wires - I hope nothing is touching. Will undo the drivers this eve and try them supported in front of the driver hole (technical term?!) i.e. out of the cabinet.

Linked to the larger excursion with volume? Hole is 90 mm as specified.

Thanks again for suggestions.

[Shane]

I don't know anything about these speakers so I may be talking through my hat, but could the chassis be being distorted when you tighten up the mounting screws? Try moving the cones gently back and forwards to see if the voice-coils are rubbing.

[Scottmoose]

Nasty.

Have you placed any felt or similar on the rear wall of the enclosure directly behind the driver? There isn't a whole lot of room in there, and being a vertical rear wall, reflections have a nasty habit of coming right back off it, and out through the thin paper cone, messing up the midrange something chronic.